x
204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVBPHIJcpNP
~I’ve been cursed with isolation, you see.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuXHdsWOGhA
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Bright headlights beaming into bricks and concrete of the sidewalks on Park Street. The trees’ branches swayed in the wind, and so did the leaves, like a ballet dancer, droves of people were scampering into the Park Street MBTA station, entering the metal and glass doors, hastily marching down the stairs. The other buildings on Park street had closed their windows, but some had the lights on, to light the sidewalk for other travelers. And for some, a fancy restaurant on the upper end of Park Street, nearly below the street with no clear way on how to get inside. Samantha wondered where the entrance was.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdVITWea6tK
A car drove by, speeding through the red light, honking its horn. The tires squealed as it turned the corner, and Sam covered her ears as the noise scratched her inner lobes.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoeigm6HZ48
“I take it you didn’t get an overseas conference call,” Samantha knew Michael couldn’t make it every Tuesday, because his clients’ operated in numerous time zones, and sometimes he was forced to stay late.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkJlNdotxY2
“No. I got an email that that’s not going to be happening for a while, I think. Tensions are rising quickly overseas, with Poland and Ukraine,” Michael covered a yawn with his hand.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXmomQGkOAE
“What do you mean?” Tim’s head immediately jerked, turning to Michael with alarm. The lights from inside the church flashed out as the receptionist flicked the switch off and on.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNrJzjJt6z
“Well,” he began, his eyes darted back and forth, making sure no one else was listening. “Look, you didn’t hear it from me, and I’m not sure the validity of this, but it has a lot of people overseas concerned. We won’t be trading anything overseas for a while, or that’s what I heard. And this is just a rumor, but apparently NATO is disbanding.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTbEciEJL0X
Sam turned her gaze to the ground, kicking some pebbles to the side. She reflected on what that might mean. If NATO disbands, will the U.S.A be protecting anyone anymore, and if not, who are the allies? Will this turn into a world where every country is independent, just waiting for a large superpower to come in and swallow them up? What will keep those superpowers in check? What will that do to diesel fuel prices? Ukraine and Poland, what cause do they have to be tense with one another?204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3tlLBOqjs
“Wait. What?” Jennifer jerked her head to him. “Why? That’s a big development for that to just be a rumor. Michael, you realize it would take fifty liars to even think of spreading a rumor that big!”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVGo1uTiuLG
“Again. Rumor. That’s all I know, and you didn’t hear it from me,” he replied.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDIn7B0qqw
“Dang it. I think I might be fine. I don’t know how much my customer takes in imports. I think it’s all local though,” Samantha said, interlacing her fingers in between her hands. The only thing that would really affect her in the brokerage, would be the gas prices. It makes it difficult to find trucks cheaply to deliver truckloads of groceries.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPhKtaUhJB
Michael sucked air through his teeth. “Yeah, and I’ll likely take a pay cut as many of my associates are over there. But the effects of that is going to change the market considerably. Sam, I think it’s only a matter of time before the effects catch up to you; even if this is a rumor.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BZwIlhNsc
“If it’s only a rumor, what’s the harm?” Tim asked.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPLIqwcTLg1
“The market changes drastically, constantly. There’s no way to accurately predict what it will do. Besides, even these rumors will affect the market eventually, creating a great rift in the economic sphere. These rumors, even if they aren’t true, will cause an economic collapse eventually, or just a severe recession,” Jennifer explained. The doors opened and the rest of the congregation walked outside. Samantha stared at Jennifer, shocked that she put so many coherent business sentences together in a row. She didn’t give Jennifer enough credit, apparently. “I’m not an economist. My brother is in stocks. Options specifically. He told me about all of this. The market is impossible to predict, but we can get close; behavioral finance and all that.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzloOeUAAdu
“There’s your answer. Even if it’s false, it’s bad,” Michael shook his head and patted his pants with one of his hands.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZP7Nrlo4G2
“Well, there goes my 401K flying right out the window,” Tim exclaimed, putting a hand through his hair. “Oh well, I suppose I could opt out of it now, I’ll just get taxed heavily on it. Thanks for the heads up.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0xcy1appq
The noise of the rest of the studiers came out to a dull roar. Brian came up to them, he had a thinly shaved beard and mustache, his eyes were wide awake. He was scrawny for his height, built much like a basketball player, only significantly shorter. “Hey, you guys coming to Terri Nation?” He wrapped his arm around Michael like an old friend and had that overbearingly enthusiastic smile on his face.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwWScxkbUV
Samantha rolled her eyes at the mention of Teri Nation, the local pub right around the corner, where they all went out for some dinner, and drinks to continue fellowshipping together after the study. After all, why waste a perfectly good night to play catch up.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvO9X1ctlLl
“You know it,” Michael shook his hand. “Wouldn’t miss it.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdtn6QUa7R5
“Great! I’m going to head back over here now. I need to recruit some of the newbies,” Brian disappeared into the small crowd, talking to a few new faces Samantha didn’t recognize.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJXvnPHWfv3
“Well, I suppose it’s time,” Michael said. “You all coming? We should start leading the cattle.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ85osvDOj5l
“Such a specific metaphor,” Samantha said.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHsFcBeZoQT
“Not really,” Michael and Tim started walking backwards up Park street, towards Beacon street, waving their hands towards them, ushering everyone to follow. “Last stop, Teri Nation. Who’s coming?”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGdt5rWFdO
Michael and Tim started chatting to each other as they briskly walked up the sidewalk towards the City Hall.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNvsCkOglby
Many of the other people around them continued to talk. Others started following in small groups. Jennifer linked arms with Samantha. Erin ran towards them from her group. Her giddiness gave her a child-like aura that was only complemented by the freckles across her cheeks. Samantha braced herself for what she expected to be ten times the amount of Erin’s normal bubbliness.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHvkV0VMBaW
“So, what are you smiling about?” Samantha asked as they walked onwards.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNpPUDkUACC
“Well, our office just hired another broker out of nowhere last week. He seems to have already settled in,” Erin smiled. “Though he often refers to me as the press.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDHbGxDAKH
“The press?” Samantha’s eyes stretched open.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuZgV0RapVr
“My last name. Gutenberg. The Gutenberg Press,” Erin explained.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSgtptHwcZC
“Okay, but what does that have to do with you smiling already? Do you like him or something?” Samantha teased.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQVnHB44uN1
“Erin’s got a crush again,” Jennifer chuckled, elbowing Samantha in the side. “Seriously, if it is not one man, then it is an equally terrifying different man, sometimes a stranger.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zuMGk19i9
“I do not!” Erin scolded. Samantha assumed Erin was blushing in the dark. “Jennifer, you always find a way to make something innocent sound so inappropriate. Anyway, he’s very smart apparently. He is an excellent resource to go to for help. My job would finally be secure if I went to him for advice.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8w6wPBpHqh
“How do you know that? He just started the job last week?” Jennifer asked. “No one learns the job that fast.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJ1peXGith
“He already closed a few hundred-thousand-dollar-deals last week,” Erin said. “Either he knows what he’s doing or is extremely lucky.”
“What?” Samantha couldn’t believe it. She herself was working a deal with another customer, but she is not making nearly that much in gross revenue, although it was a different business altogether. “How?”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLsdw4YgbGA
“I’m going to ask him tomorrow. I’ll let you know. Although, I don’t know how that will help you. You’re in logistics, not in stocks,” She snapped her fingers.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1kIvo2iOOP
“Maybe I’ll just invest in a mutual fund,” Samantha sneered. She had little interest in stocks to begin with.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIZO3vXkBrQ
“You two go ahead and talk finance if you want. I’m sticking to my germs. Much more interesting,” Jennifer said as they turned onto Beacon street.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBLVEzBljfr
“So, what’s his name?” Samantha leaned into Erin, bumping against her.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIweIARWohC
“He goes by Ted,” Erin answered. “He said he’s from Ohio. Not a very social person though, doesn’t talk much.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2OdCrtQugh
“So, enough about this individual that neither Sam nor I are going to meet. July Fourth. Erin, are you still coming? I need to order the canoes, and I need to have an idea of how many I need to reserve. We plan on meeting at Kendall Square at 6PM.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQQriLxJcy
“Yes, I’ll go,” Erin exclaimed. “I’d love to go, I might be late, I need to skip lunch to leave work early.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡryyfvBnl92
“Don’t worry about food, there will be plenty. I’ll be packing sandwiches again,” Jennifer said. They were approaching Terri Nation which was on the corner heading back down towards Tremont Street. The City Hall was staring down at them with the lights behind the gates, and the Joseph Hooker Statue, riding on a horse.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgb7PK4nVS7
“That’s probably not the best thing. You might want to think of something else. Sandwiches don’t taste good out in the open sea,” Samantha suggested. “Maybe we can get Michael to cook something with his smoker. Or perhaps just bring some vegetables or something.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZp3wW7vppz
“But poor dear Erin will be hungry. She’s skipping her lunch after all.” Jennifer chuckled as she opened the door into Teri Nation. “I mean to be fair, most of us, except me, will not have time to actually eat something after work. I mean, you get out late enough as it is.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGXWhj24Etv
“It’ll take a few hours, its fine,” Samantha replied.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQO4gYuWAQF
They walked through the restaurant section of the bar, walking through the wide hallway and took a left of the statue of a little girl flying a kite at the side. Michael and Tim were already sat in the back of the upstairs bar, talking to one another about something, while sipping on their own drink. Michael was always trying the weird concoctions that the bar tender mixed. He was like Scott’s guinea pig.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzPFP3VYPsD
“What’s goin’ on Sam. What can I get you?” Scott wore a black vest over a white button up shirt and black slacks behind his bar. Everyone on the wait staff wore the same uniform.
“House Cab is fine,” she answered pulling out her card. “I’ll close out.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf9oiPUbYnX
Scott took the card and went to pour her a quick glass of red Cabernet wine. He always had a heavy pour.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyzDdrH5WE
“Scott, I’ll take your specialty. Whatever that is at this moment,” Jennifer asked. Like Michael, she was also an adventurous drinker.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQZPPHMDwXR
“I’ll also take a cider. Bottle please,” Erin called out; her hand raised as her other hand reached for her pocketbook.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcDc9IpOI4j
“Together or separate?” Scott called as he reached behind the bar and undid the cap of a frosted bottle of hard cider.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnTVpSzygxp
“Together. I’ll buy it,” Erin said, nudging Jennifer in the side. “The least I can do if I’m trusting you with my food on the Fourth of July.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbF8fT2Ejb
Erin winked at Jennifer and squeezed her shoulder.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlHMBH3QJPM
He then made the very odd drink with Bourbon, triple sec, coke, muddle mint and cucumbers. Jennifer frowned curiously as the drink was handed to her. Her eyes skimmed over the physical ingredients, noting this beverage, whatever it might be, should taste refreshing; however, such a taste would likely contrast unwelcomingly with the bourbon. “Well, it is different,” she took a sip. And made a puckered face as if filled with something that was too sour. And it did contrast, the way Jennifer expected it to, “Did Michael like this?”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPVvrAGMu2H
“He liked it,” Scott started chuckling. “Do you?”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqwpBvfQV1A
“It’s certainly different, I’ll give you ten points for originality,” her face cringed. “I haven’t decided if I’m going to like this or not yet. Give me a few minutes.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqi1j95G1V6
“Gotcha,” he chuckled, quickly moving back to address the rest of his guests.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAosNoxCHAu
Brian came in with his crowd of nearly fifteen different guests. Looks like he succeeded in inviting the new people here. Well, this certainly is great for the community. They are all new to Boston, or many of them anyways. This isn’t a bad spot to be, Sam thought. Brian’s friendliness and his great charisma was what kept Samantha interested in these little late-night gatherings, and surprisingly, kept her going to Park Street Church instead of some local church.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdTuAtt9MIj
Samantha knew that Scott was going to have a good night. She sipped her wine as she gazed up at the TV screen. Scott generally kept the news on in the back: unless they requested the sports channel. He was always very friendly, though when she first came here, he did seem like a tired and disgruntled man. He couldn’t have been more than thirty. He hid a smile underneath that thick beard of his.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOJ1DokUzFV
Sam looked over to Brian again, noticing he took out a little pen and piece of paper, engaging enthusiastically in conversation with everyone he invited. He spent more time with the new faces than the old ones, nodding as they spoke, showing his elite listening skills. Sam guessed quite accurately he was offering to buy them a round tonight, by jotting things down on his notepad. Brian leaned over the bar top, and slapped his hand on it, and looked intently in Scott’s eyes as they engaged in some unrelated conversation which Sam couldn’t hear. Brian read off the slip of paper, and Scott immediately punched some buttons on the electronic touch pad and printed out a receipt, handing it to Brian before hastily disappearing behind the bar. Brian immediately returned to the newcomers, turning their hesitant smiles to enthusiastic ones. Samantha thought, Brian was better at making anyone feel comfortably at home.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDLuNP2ud8v
Then she noticed something familiar. The hair on her head felt like they stood on ends, and the chills came over her, cascading like a powerful wind. Goosebumps rose-up from her arms. She looked around, not trying to alarm anyone, hoping this may have been her imagination. Other people around the bar were putting on their sweatshirts or wrapping themselves with their arms. She chose to ignore it. Someone probably just turned the thermostat down. But damn it’s cold!204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFX8uIEDNKe
Out of the corner of her eye she noticed someone. He was sitting by himself at the other end of the bar, perhaps ten paces from her, drinking a glass of red wine, like hers. Merlot? Or Cab? It was the same man from Saturday, first at the cross walk, then inside the Garden. Now here. And it seems the last time the temperature dropped so much and so quickly was with him around. Who was he?204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnWKkLAcx93
Scott brought this man a plate of mashed potatoes. This man still seemed to be smiling very widely as he thanked Scott for the plate. Scott asked him if he needed anything else, but he declined, and said,204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthBC2r3un7
64204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpPx5eyrH5R
“I have more than I require right now. Thank you.” She took a closer look as the man took a fork and put it into the mashed potatoes and started eating it. Sam squinted her eyes at the man to see some lined scars on his face. The words barely made it to her ears with the volume of the bar.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ymAGCCQCh
Twice she saw the man in a social setting. Twice she saw the man isolated in the social setting. Perhaps he was new to Boston, and looking for friends, perhaps socially inept. Well, I’m not Brian. But I’ll see what I can do. I at least know something to spin off on, she thought.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNE10ZdSkB5
She took a sip from her glass, scanning the bar top for Scott when he got a second. She raised her arm and called him over. Scott walked over, drying a beer glass with a towel. Scott leaned over the bar, both palms rested firmly on the bar top after setting the glass down, “What’s up Sam?”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVu5TnbHclW
“That man over there,” she leaned in over the bar, pointing a finger to the man in the corner, retracting the finger around her wineglass.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJj4mpa078G
Scott turned his head briefly to look, “That’s Ted. He’s been coming here lately.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfhYpdw72iE
“Do you know what he does?” Sam asked.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡODvfYNRzQW
“No, he’s a polite person, but a man of few words.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrwTHK8gTTs
“Well, thanks for that. That was it. Thank you!”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKKr4Xs6cGU
She started walking quietly towards him. He ate silently. She was standing behind him as he was engrossed in his food, scarfing it down quickly. He took a sip of his wine again, turning the glass and looking into it as if he was lost in thought.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzArW0unnXG
“Well, well, well, so a rat sneaks behind me, eh?” said the man. He never bothered to look from his wine. “To what exactly do I owe for the pleasure of such as this?”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6xv3EU0niU
Samantha abruptly halted. Her wineglass trembled in her hand as she looked down at the ripples inside the glass. Did I make a sound? No. Wait. Could he smell my perfume or was it the wine?204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78mjS8oyRY
“The scent of Cabernet was coming closer and closer. I could smell it approaching me, and then suddenly the scent just lingered. You can’t be more than twenty-three inches behind me.” He turned in his stool and looked up to her, and his smile was still wide. “How may I help you?”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdODge0x09k
“Startling, well I’m not a rat,” she chuckled nervously.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVwh2SGh2KL
“And yet you came to me as silent as a rat.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSeW7AZbNQy
Well, he’s not socially inept, that is certain. He’s eloquent and very formal. She found him to be unnerving, yet intriguing all the same, “Rats can be silent nuisances, but I couldn’t help but notice that I’ve seen you before,” she commented.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUThcvlN4xp
“Well, this is the Heart of Boston. Odds are there are many faces we see again and again, and maybe we recognize a few reoccurring faces here and there, but we never make a point to meet one of them. I know I certainly don’t,” he replied. His smile never faded. He stood up and rose his glass to hers. She clinked their glasses together, “Cheers.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEQNZg8VvEV
Sam found him to be more mysterious, greeting her with a friendly smile, but the words comparing her to a rat was a bit unsettling. He was confident, this was evident, but was there something about her he found to be untrusting? She bit her tongue, fearing she made some kind of social error. Brian is better suited for this, but I can’t back down now.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkKILZTkuz
“That is something true you have just said. My name is Samantha Harris,” she said. She brought her hand out to meet his other hand to shake it.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOBQn0Kt4Du
He reached out his hand to meet hers, shaking it. Samantha could hear the bones in her hand crack: he had a very firm and strong grip. “My name is Ted Anderson.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbSWxAc2nDt
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She didn’t want to make it too obvious she asked about him.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapelpKrngA
“To be sure, Miss Harris, the pleasure is all mine. Now, I ask again; to what do I owe the pleasure of such an introduction?” There was something different about him though, his brown watery eyes looked right into hers. Ted appeared to her to be in his mid-twenties, but the eyes told a different story, as if they were much older than his body.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPprJvp0PV
“I ran into you twice on Saturday. Right on the corner of Park and Tremont, and then again on the same day at the Garden, towards the end of that night,” she admitted, “You seemed to be by yourself, while everyone else was grouped together, or coupled.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvi3y8KgxTr
“Was that around the time the temperature dropped?” he asked.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvbXNw5fUon
Her eyes blinked repeatedly. So, I’m not crazy. “Y—you felt that too? I thought I was just imagining things,” she stammered as she took another sip from her glass, looking cautiously at Ted. She felt something in her gut, like she should be wary of this man. Numerous people were with her that night, and only she and Ted felt it. And only they acknowledged it. Why didn’t any of them feel anything?204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPiHNO4yiJu
“Yes, I felt it also,” he said, “Well, that’s New England for you.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTenQdeP3xB
“Yes,” she said, lowering her voice a little bit. “Have you been around Boston for very long?”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnWlb86g4Z
“A few weeks,” He answered.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBL1RIoSLKO
“What brought you here?” She thought to ask another question, hoping to find something to latch on to. She could hear multiple steps behind her, and the music played from the speakers, and the chatter sounded like white noise.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJiq4Q576t
“Work,” he answered.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡos0cCiY4I9
“Where are you from?” She was dissatisfied with the answer, as simple as it was. Sure, it very well could be true, but there wasn’t enough information released from him to pose any meaningful conversation.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgiCAzAfcdX
“Ohio.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9e12Fbg3Y
“What part?” You’re like a steel trap.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRxsDkekhg
“Delaware,” he shifted on his stool as he took another bite of his mashed potatoes.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVD6XeVkDw
“There’s a store I deliver to frequently over there,” excitedly, she finally found something.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡezbMy5hdO8
“Oh, and what is it that you do?” His expression didn’t change, but he leaned back against the bar and crossed his hands over his chest.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7wle1oOlN
“I work for a 3PL. I deliver groceries for a major wholesaler. I’m a broker.” Dang it. She wasn’t expecting him to start asking questions, not that she had anything really to hide from him, but she wasn’t done trying to figure out who he was.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡibLpMa7EmO
“As am I. I deal with stocks,” he answered. “And options.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0nl0j4eUxi
It finally hit her. He might work with Erin. “Do you know Erin Gu—”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn01TBZY3aF
“The Gutenberg Press? Yes. I work with her,” he laughed.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo5Vk7pr0UC
“Yes!” she laughed. “That is exactly what she said you call her. She said something about you today on our way over here.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSQdaEAT9F
“Terrible things, I’m sure,” he replied, never lessening that smile.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMdDZOfEgnN
“No, she said you are very good at your job.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6O7mioBDHN
“No. I am just very lucky.” He got a buzz from his phone. “Excuse me a moment.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxRX3d1mwle
He pulled out his phone and opened something up. Samantha assumed it was a work-related email. He read it intently. He shut the screen off from his phone and put it back into his pocket. “Well, on one hand that was terrible. On the other, I’m glad I sold all of those.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtTFEjZCdEg
“What?”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0A2DNJ11Ky
“Oh, NATO just disbanded, and Russian just declared War on Ukraine,” he said nonchalantly. “I just sold most of my foreign assets. Those values are going to drop overnight. I wonder, how will the rest of the European Union fare? Will they follow suit? Will they get involved? Most likely, as they have always done. It’s unfortunate that the world came to this.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAmoUESF5Vh
“How do you know?” she asked. Well, I guess that confirms the rumor Michael told them, but how exactly are you this calm about it? Ukraine is apparently pissing everyone off! Samantha knew that national allegiances were trembling as of late, the news told them that much. To her it seemed most everyone was inches away from everyone’s throats at any given time, and Russia and Ukraine were now the only confirmed cases of political collapse. How soon will this uncertainty reach America? Sam couldn’t help but wonder.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejs0T0F2py
“Like I said, I’m very lucky. However, some of the higher ups might think I actually know something when I don’t,” he let out a brief sigh. “Oh well, I’ll cross that bridge when it comes to it.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAju3jskr5
She turned abruptly, “Michael!” she waved at him as he was now talking with Erin. Samantha noticed that Erin frowned at them with her pouty eyes. She noted that Erin seemed to be boy crazy, she didn’t expect that kind of behavior from someone going to church weekly. But we all have our own shortcomings.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4q0wiWm5AF
“Ted, this is my boyfriend, Michael,” she introduced them.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GZne3zqWn
Michael walked over with a friendly smile on his face and introduced himself. Michael shook Ted’s hand, and Samantha could hear the bones in Michael’s hand cracking.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjLrk3lzMTo
“Firm grip. I like it!” Michael released his hand.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡywksaJTaaA
“So, Michael, you know that thing you talked about earlier?”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1fF44d49g
“I said you didn’t hear it from me,” he said defensively, abruptly turning to her, frowning.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQmBLjDSdQc
“It’s on the news already,” she frowned, knowing that since these rumors were true, global collapse might not be far behind, she guessed this would immediately affect Michael’s line of work drastically.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOwC4sL6p3P
“Wait. What?” Michael asked. “Already? I just found out about it, but I thought those were rumors.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83Q7OR4Hsv
“Rumors have an unfortunate way of being steeped in truth. Odds are, if something is completely unbelievable, it is probably true,” Ted said. “I knew of the rumor but thought nothing of it until this morning. Thank God I followed my gut. I can sleep peacefully now.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD44y56MRxM
“Well, it is only a matter of time then. Someone’s going to punch someone important,” Mike replied.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXMZh3KK4G
Ted threw his head back in laughter.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfZqTyLp3f9
“I think that already happened,” Samantha said. “Apparently Russia’s on a war path again.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkV9e6rueyY
The phone vibrated in Ted’s pocket again. He pulled it out of his inside pocket and looked at his notification. He read the notification, “That’s not the only one on a war path. Well, I guess it was only inevitable that this would happen.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNxfFKhgy3i
“What now?” Samantha asked. She was considering how this news was going to affect her. It was clearly going to affect her business. Oil prices are going to raise. Rates for truck drivers are going to rise to reflect that change. Her rates are contracted.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhQOAIsgLdv
Renegotiating her contracted rates are likely to be fruitless. Her individual margins are going to decline. Her profitability is going to plummet. How soon before this all hits home?204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOkhw4RJoY
“Trade deals with China aren’t going well apparently,” Ted explained. “That being said, it’s only a matter of time before someone declares war. It is like twenty years ago.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfJpIWwsPMR
“Those were not good times,” Michael said. “Every major nation was at everyone’s throats.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2K5phCDo66
“Precisely. The global economy was trash then,” Ted rose his hand in the air. He dropped it back down. “And just like my hand, we’ll probably be freefalling for a while, well, then it starts to decline that’s when we’ll be freefalling.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUZ1R5pzKJZ
“You seem to know a lot about this,” Michael said, taking a sip of his exotic, but potentially terrible tasting drink.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6AbOAp1PvM
“I was in the Army before I came here, China was never too keen on Americans,” he kept his smile, but reluctantly gave that answer. “I know too much already.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAmWxdq37Q
Samantha knew this would pique Michael’s interest. His brother was in the 75th Ranger Regiment, “What was your—”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2I0iUhCHk
“My occupation in the Army is classified, above top secret,” he said softly. “I can’t disclose any information on what I did. I hope you understand.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJKDpoHM1s
“I do,” Michael said. “My brother is in the Army. He is much the same way. Doesn’t give out much information than what is necessary.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvyvCQQrX7u
Erin finally walked over, her hand resting across her chest. “Ted, did you just get Adam’s email?”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfy6ouzBNqq
“Yes, Gutenberg’s Press. I did. I got both of them. Well, if you have any foreign assets, I’d suggest selling them now. The market is still open. You may find a buyer, but if you don’t, I’d advise holding onto it and riding it out, or selling it as soon as possible.” This was clearly meant for Erin, and he gave her advice to work on, but Samantha picked up on something, noting just how volatile the stock markets are: Sell now, unless you can’t, then hold onto it until it rises again. Or just sell later. The window of trading that fast was small.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXzmcIFvKNa
“Did you already sell yours?” she asked. “How did you know this would happen?”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMBR50YhG0z
“I didn’t. I just guessed. You should listen to those rumors more closely,” he chuckled.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY1aKJlT9Tn
“This is going to be a nightmare,” Michael said, ruffling his hand through his hair.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN7jTGGnRm0
Jennifer popped up with her drink in hand. “Michael, you have terrible taste in this stuff. Why do I let you talk me into these things?”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡunOs293B3b
Samantha felt a weight lift off her chest as her attention was immediately turned away from the horrific events happening with the world to something, albeit random, more pleasant. For that, she was exceedingly thankful for Jennifer’s interruption.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqe2ADkKobT
“First of all, I didn’t say anything,” he laughed, nudging her shoulder with his.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgt9TKEzAUH
“I mean seriously, this is disgusting, why would you drink this?” She turned her gaze to Ted. “So, who is this who is hogging up the party?”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs8Tmy9XyfQ
“I mean, you can barely call this a party,” Samantha said as Erin was back onto her phone, monitoring her emails.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrNIXs3RXlb
“I have to go. I’ll see you next Tuesday!” Erin walked over to her green purse.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWE1W3ceAo
Samantha waved as Erin walked out of the bar, relieved as Erin’s constant pining after men was growing tiresome.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjC7yOkefAn
“This is Ted. You know; that Ted,” Sam clicked her tongue as she pointed to Erin on her way out.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrOe3AGrGl0
“What Ted—oh! That Ted! Well, I’ll say little to compromise anything. I’m Jennifer, and welcome to our little dysfunctional family,” she joked. “Never mind me. I’m the crazy one.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2UFs7i8Q5
Samantha chuckled. She’s never boring.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfxuNnpWhsD
“Speaking of, Ted,” Jennifer seemed to take over the conversation. She would have made a great executive. “We are going to rent a few canoes over the Charles on the Fourth of July. I know it’s about a month away. You should totally come with!”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡomiVVfSgbx
“Fireworks, over a body of water,” Ted said. “I appreciate the sentiment, Miss, however, I’m afraid I must decline.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0PXTSLVGNk
“Oh, well that’s too bad. Everyone here is going,” she turned her head as if looking for someone. “Now, where is Brian?”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJp8xbmUJnU
“He drove Tim home,” Michael answered. “Tim had an early meeting for an event that’s scheduled tomorrow. He couldn’t be out too late.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN2BDiAgnHy
“Such a shame. He really is personable. More fun than I am!” She wrapped her arm around Michael as she smiled.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jPYW7NCsP
Samantha and Jennifer’s minds were thinking alike. No matter how hesitant one could be, Brian can always get someone to bend.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbYL6748DL
“I doubt that very much,” Ted commented, making eye contact with her. Jennifer’s hazel eyes gleamed in the dim light of the bar.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Fs5vfV5zs
“Oh, well, I guess you can’t come under any circumstances, then, huh? Nothing we can do to persuade you?” Jennifer tried to coax some more amiable answer out of him.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpfMAQGg201
“Unfortunately, no,” Ted answered. “But I appreciate the offer, all the same.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkD99S54zTP
“Oh, well.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUuIAvwSohF
“Well, what about Tuesday next week? Are you doing anything after you get off work?” Samantha pitched in, eager to see more of this mysterious person. She barely struck the surface of who he was, and to her seemed one dimensional. She was eager to get the full picture and get the story of those ragged eyes and enthusiastic smile. The contrast didn’t sit well with her.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRBWlyYbzoK
“Um?” he hesitated. Sam briefly noticed his hand shaking as he hid it in his pocket. “Depends, if I decide to leave work or not. I’m a workaholic, and perhaps that depends completely on the rest of the information I know you are inclined to give me.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg2ytaPUgpW
“We have a Bible Study that we go to on Tuesdays. It starts at seven at Park Street. This next week is tasty Tuesdays so there are snacks before,” Samantha continued, linking arms with Michael.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvBvlqT0uT8
“I think Sarah is making baclava,” Michael said, sipping his who knows-what-it-tastes like drink.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIvyeFmpTx
“Oh, yes, that’s a splendid idea.” Jennifer butted in again, clapping her hands together. “Seriously, Ted, you must come. It’s much less of a commitment than going canoeing with us in July. Especially if you’re new to Boston. It might be nice to have some kind of community that doesn’t include drowning yourself in work.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAIpAIUwFv
“I’m not going to lie; I do like working,” Ted explained, sipping more of his wine. “But with everything else that is going on in the world, I likely won’t be able to find anything worth buying in those oversea markets anymore. What’s one day going to hurt? Where is it?”
"Yes. But its tasty Tuesday so you don't have to show up right at seven. You can show up a little after,” Samantha answered, suddenly conscientious about how much she’d been speaking. “It is the best time for it a newcomer. We’d love to see you there, but no pressure.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5HINeH5rcK
“I’ll be there,” he drank the rest of his wine and grabbed his tab. “I’ll see you Tuesday.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsp7BmH7ShY
Samantha smiled as he left, and she felt a weight being lifted off her chest. I’m still not Brian. Brian could have gotten him to go out for the Fourth for sure.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAyQln3VSmp
“So, how did you meet him?” Michael asked.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5gslPJWxC
“Spill it, Sam, spill it. Details girl!” Jennifer exclaimed. “I need details.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHW46ISNfYk
“I saw him twice on Saturday. First at the corner of the church, and then at the garden,” she answered.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniVi7Q3ZbJ
“Like when you swore the temperature dropped?” Michael inquired. He seemed a little more curious now.204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhwewkrifYi
“Yes. He was there when the temperature dropped, and then again when the temperature dropped again in here. Didn’t you feel it?”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAHJZIXIwi2
“Yes,” Michael admitted. “But that could have been anything. I wouldn’t worry about something so trivial as the temperature dropping, especially here in New England. The temperature and weather changes daily, besides, if it happened here, it was probably just the air conditioning,” he glanced at his watch. “And look at the time! It is time to be going.”204Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLug48KOpc6
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